- Having been working with people and their health since 1983,I became interested in Homeopathy in 1987, and began using it to complement the conventional management of my patients in 1990. I have found this holistic approach to bring real and lasting benefit as it focuses on the energetic cause of disease rather than just the superficial removal of symptoms. It improves well-being on a physical, spiritual and emotional level as it gently stimulates the body’s own powers of healing.
Dr Jayne Donegan
To make an appointment with Dr Donegan, please phone:
020 8632 1634 (telephone/ fax) leaving your contact details clearly or send an email to jaynelmdonegan@yahoo.com
Dr Donegan is based in Hendon, London NW4, U.K.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy works with our natural healing processes and has been used for this purpose for over 200 years. Its remedies are designed to stimulate the body’s own natural reaction to illness and return to well-being. With an ever-growing number of people seeking a natural way of improving their health, homeopathy can be used alongside conventional medicine and has a mounting evidence base to support it.
What are its origins?
Hippocrates, acclaimed as the father of modern medicine and honoured by doctors in the ‘Hippocratic Oath’, was the first to suggest that a person’s own healing ability was vital in choosing the right cure for an ailment.
The founder of modern homeopathy was the eighteenth century German physician, Dr Samuel Hahnemann. He was so appalled by the practices of his day that he set out to find an approach that was safe, gentle and effective. He believed that rather than trying to suppress symptoms, the body should be stimulated to encourage its natural healing process.
Today, homeopathic remedies are regulated by British Government via the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MRHA) and nearly 40% of GP partnerships in England provide access to complementary therapy (including homeopathy) for patients.
How does it work?
The use of Homeopathy is based on three principles:
- A substance that in large doses creates the symptoms of a disease will, in small doses, ameliorate it. This can be summed up in the phrase; ‘similia similibus curentur’ sometimes known as the Law of Similars
- Extreme dilution with potentisation is thought to enhance the remedy’s beneficial properties while reducing the incidence of undesirable effects.
- Homeopathy takes the whole person into consideration
What can homeopathy be used for?
Homeopathy is used by doctors, dentists, midwives and many other healthcare professionals because of an increasing understanding of its benefits in terms of well-being and in response to growing public demand. Vets also find it a valuable addition to the range of interventions available for animals in their care.
Who uses it?
Over 30 million people in Europe use homeopathic remedies and, according to a recent Mintel report into complementary medicines, one in five adults in the UK bought homeopathic or herbal remedies over the counter in the last twelve months.
What is a homeopathic remedy?
Remedies are derived from a variety of plant and mineral and animal products, and are prepared in licensed laboratories under strict quality control. They are given in many forms, including tablet, granule or powder.
How are remedies made?
Homeopathic remedies are made by a series of dilutions and succession (intense agitation by shaking) of the initial product. For example, a 6c potency remedy means that the substance has undergone six steps in a series of dilutions, where each step involves taking one part of the remedy and diluting it in 99 parts of alcohol.
How do you choose which potency of remedy?
Over the counter remedies tend to come in 6c and 30c potencies.
A homeopath takes your case in more detail and prescribe from a wider range of remedies at different strengths, based on your individual situation.
A fascinating but as yet unexplained characteristic of homeopathic remedies is that the more dilute a remedy, the more effect it appears to have on the vital force. For example, a remedy diluted 30 times by a factor of 100 (strength 30c) is much more potent than a 6c remedy, even though it contains less of the original substance.
How do you take homeopathic remedies?
Remedies should be taken half an hour before or after eating or drinking. They should not be handled directly but put on or under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. As with many conventional tablets and pillules, homeopathic remedies contain small amounts of lactose so people with a lactose intolerance should be aware and ask for an alternative.
How do you store homeopathic remedies?
Medicines should be kept in their original container away from direct sunlight and strong smelling substances such as perfume, moth balls, eucalyptus and aromatherapy oils. Spilled tablets or pills should be thrown away.
Where can you buy homeopathic remedies?
Pharmacies, health food stores and online.
Should I stop taking my other medication?
Do not stop taking your current medicines without having discussed this course of action with your doctor. Homeopathic remedies may be safely taken along with other medicines as they do not contain any pharmacological matter.
It can be very dangerous to stop a medicine which you have been using for some time. Homeopathic remedies will not interfere with your other drugs, but you should always consult your doctor before taking other remedies. Pregnant women should consult their doctor or homeopath before using homeopathic remedies.
What happens when you see a homeopath?
The first consultation lasts between 1-1 1/2 hours and you’ll be asked questions about your physical, mental and emotional health, lifestyle, preferences and fears. To discover how best to help, the homeopath will want to know not only about your illness but also about you. How you are affected by environmental factors such as temperature and the weather, the kinds of food that you eat or the food you avoid, your moods and feelings, and your medical history will all help to establish a complete picture of you as a person. The homeopath then relates the description of your current symptoms to all this background knowledge in order to prescribe the correct remedy at the right strength. Choice of remedy is therefore based on you and your condition, not just on your symptoms.
A follow-up visit is generally booked to assess your progress.. Benefits should be obvious within a few days, however, you may get an aggravation and feel slightly worse before you feel better. This is known as ‘the healing crisis’ and is an indication the body’s attempt to re-balance.
Please note: These questions and answers are no substitute for advice from a qualified homeopath or homeopathic doctor. If symptoms persist, you should consult your GP. Homeopathy can be used in conjunction with conventional medicine and please ensure both your homeopath and your GP are aware of the drugs and remedies you are taking